Central Wharf (Boston) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Central Wharf
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Former warehouses on Central Wharf, now Milk Street
Location	146-176 Milk Street Boston, Massachusetts
Built	1815–1816
Architectural style	Federal
Part of	Custom House District (ID73000321)
Designated CP	May 11, 1973

Central Wharf is a historic pier in Boston, Massachusetts. It was built between 1815 and 1816. This long pier once stretched almost a quarter-mile into Boston Harbor, between Long Wharf and India Wharf. Today, the wharf is much shorter because of new land built over time. It is now the home of the New England Aquarium.

History of Central Wharf

Why Was Central Wharf Built?

Central Wharf was planned right after the War of 1812. After the war, trade started growing again. Boston needed to update its waterfront and make more space for ships. This would help the town's shipping business grow.

A merchant named Ebenezer Francis helped organize the project. Many of the same people who built India Wharf also helped pay for Central Wharf. These included Uriah Cotting, Harrison Gray Otis, James Lloyd, Jr., and Francis Cabot Lowell.

Building the Wharf

Construction of the wharf began around April 17, 1815. The buildings were mostly finished by the end of 1816. By April 1817, all the spaces were being used.

When it was finished, Central Wharf had 54 warehouses. These buildings were built in the Federal style. Each one was four stories tall and had three windows across.

A Busy Seaport

Central Wharf was one of Boston's biggest projects. It was 1,240 feet long and 150 feet wide. One person at the time said it showed how much Bostonians could achieve.

For many years, the wharf was very important to Boston's seaport. Many important merchants had their businesses there. It became the main center for Boston's trade with the Mediterranean Sea region.

Changes Over Time

Only a small part of Central Wharf still exists today. Most of it was taken down in the late 1800s and mid-1900s. Around 1868, the pier became much shorter. This happened because new land was created to build Atlantic Avenue. This new road ran right through the middle of the wharf.

Most of the old warehouses were torn down between the 1950s and 1970s. This made space for new projects, like the Central Artery highway and the New England Aquarium. The New England Aquarium opened in 1969 and is now a major part of the remaining wharf area.

Surviving Buildings

Eight of the original warehouses are still standing today. They are located at 146-176 Milk Street. Their outside looks a bit different now than it did originally. These buildings are the last group of Federal-style wharf buildings left in Boston. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as part of the Custom House District.

Gallery

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  Map of Central Wharf, 1867

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  Central Wharf, 19th century. The cupola in the center of the wharf had a telescope for people to use.

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  Map of wharves, 1899, showing Central Wharf cut by Atlantic Avenue.

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  Central Wharf, around 1906.

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  View from above of Central Wharf (on the right), 2010.